17 December 2013

The Best Flower And Modelling Paste Decoration Techniques

If you want to explore the world of sugarcrafting then eventually you’re going to start using flower and modelling paste. On the surface this looks a lot like fondant icing, but it actually has very different properties. Flower and modelling paste dries much harder than fondant icing which makes it perfect for creating intricate models such as flowers, butterflies and so on.

Working with flower and modelling paste has its own unique set of challenges, but like everything else in the sugarcrafting world, with some advice and practise you’ll soon get the hang of it. Here are a few Renshaw flower and modelling paste decoration techniques to help you get started.

Start Simple. Nobody takes their first packet of flower and modelling paste and creates stunning hand-made roses right off the bat. Instead, to get you used to the properties of flower paste and how it behaves try making simple flowers with plungers. You can press out the flowers and then experiment with moulding them slightly by hand or layering different cuts to create a three dimensional flower.

Use Colour. It’s fine to use plain white flower paste to create your models, but eventually you’ll want to use colour to liven things up. You’ve got a couple of options. You can add some food colouring to the flower paste and then work it through to colour the paste. This will give you a milder colour, and is great for creating pastel shades. Alternatively you can wait for your flower paste model to set and then paint directly on to it. This yields brighter and more vibrant colours.

Mix It Up. Flower paste is great for making decorations that have a lot of intricate details. It’s also good for adding stiffness to fondant icing when you’re making large figurines. Because fondant icing is softer large figurines made with it can sag and lose their shape. By using flower paste mixed with fondant icing you can retain the rigidity of flower paste while also getting the malleability of fondant icing. You’ll be able to make colourful figures to top your cakes that don’t collapse under their own weight.

The Devil’s In The Details. Thanks to its hard setting properties, flower and modelling paste allows you to make very fine details to your decorations. To achieve this you’ll need some tools. A toothpick is really handy for making small lines and also applying tiny amounts of food colouring with precision. There is an enormous variety of sugarcraft tools out there for working with flower paste. Be sure you have a selection on hand to achieve details like fine lines on butterflies and leaves.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold. When you’re making flowers or butterflies and other delicate flower paste models a hint of lustre dust or glimmer sugar can really make your creations come alive. All you need to do is lightly brush your model down with some cool water and then apply the glittery covering of your choice with a brush.